City paying for MLAs to attend 2018 Olympic Games as Calgary 2026 bid exploration continues

Naheed Nenshi, Calgary mayor, takes part in an impromptu dance with Calgary Olympic mascot Hidy, during an event marking the 25 year anniversary of the 1988 winter Olympics at the Olympic Oval in 2013. Stuart Gradon / Calgary Herald

The City of Calgary is paying for two MLAs to attend the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics in South Korea alongside three city staff, and potentially Mayor Naheed Nenshi, as part of efforts to evaluate a potential 2026 Olympic bid.

While Premier Rachel Notley dubbed the trip a fact-finding mission and said the province has made no decisions about supporting a Calgary bid, Nenshi said having provincial representation at the upcoming Winter Games is good news for Calgary’s repeat Olympic dreams.

Notley confirmed Thursday afternoon deputy premier Sarah Hoffman and Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda accepted an invitation from the City of Calgary to attend the opening ceremonies in South Korea.

“I would imagine that that’s a pretty strong signal that if they want to observe, then they’re willing to fund their costs of the bid committee,” said Nenshi, who hopes to also attend the sporting event in February.

In November, council voted 9-4 in favour of spending an additional $1 million — on top of the $5 million already dedicated — to continue exploring a Calgary bid for the 2026 Winter Games.

Council agreed to spend another $1 million on the exploration efforts next year, if the federal and provincial governments agree to help cover the cost of a bid, which is estimated to be around $30 million.

“We’ve made no decision on that. We’re still in the fact-finding and the research stage right now,” Notley told reporters in Edmonton Thursday.

An end of January deadline has been set by council for the province and Ottawa to come on board and participate in a bid committee — just days before the Feb. 9 to 25 Winter Games in South Korea.

Hoffman also told reporters no decisions have been made regarding supporting a Calgary bid.

“I look forward to … having an opportunity to be part of the Canadian delegation and to spend some time with the folks from Calgary and see where that takes us,” she said.

Nenshi, a longtime Olympic fan who paid his own way to the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil, said he’s hopeful he will be able to attend the 2018 Games, though this time around he would be working, not vacationing.

“If I’m actually there working, I won’t be able to do what I like to do, which is hang out with the families of the athletes and hear their stories and watch a lot of speedskating,” he said.

While Kyle Ripley, director of recreation for the city, was not available for an interview Thursday, a city spokeswoman said in an email a general manager, project sponsor and project lead from the city are planning to attend the PyeongChang Olympics alongside the two MLAs.

The city doesn’t yet have a price tag for the expedition, but a high-level budget included as part of a recent report to council pegged a PyeongChang Observer Program, alongside international relations, marketing, communications and engagement, at $400,000.

“The majority of the budget for PyeongChang will becovered by the city and a portion will be covered by Canmore. There will be significant contributions provided by the Canadian Olympic Committee and IOC regarding assistance with transportation, cellphone coverage, security, medical coverage,office facilities and access to knowledgeable staffandaccess to events,” city spokeswoman Carissa Vescio said in an email that noted Calgary was paying for Hoffman and Miranda to attend.

Vescio detailed several purposes of the trip, including forging relationships with IOC staff, meeting with COC officials, liaising with government officials, and observing the logistical details and commitment Calgary would need to host the Games.

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City paying for MLAs to attend 2018 Olympic Games as Calgary 2026 bid exploration continues

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